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2 Tests You Need To Take For Early Kidney Disease Diagnosis

2 Tests You Need To Take For Early Kidney Disease Diagnosis

Early diagnosis is essential when it comes to kidney diseases. The early you get a definitive diagnosis means the more chances you can get the condition treated or even reversed. One good way to get yourself checked is to submit to laboratory tests. For kidney diseases, there are two major tests that you can take: blood test and urinalysis.

Blood Test

A blood test can test two things about your kidneys. One is your serum creatinine level. Creatinine is the waste product created through muscle use and protein breakdown. A healthy kidney should be able to filter it out effectively from the blood. If your test returns with a high serum creatinine level, it’s an indication of a decreased kidney function.

This test can also reveal your Blood Urea Nitrogen level, which measures the amount of urea present in your blood. Urea is a byproduct of protein breakdown from the food you eat. A high BUN level in your test can indicate a possible kidney problem.

A blood test can also determine your estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate. It’s one of the most common ways to measure kidney functions. It’s also one of the first tests your doctor can order if he suspects kidney problem in your initial assessment.

Urinalysis

The earliest symptom you’ll experience when it comes to kidney diseases is the changes in your urine. You’ll feel pain, see visual changes and even notice a difference in how it smells. If you are experiencing any of these things, a urinalysis can give you a clearer idea on whether you should be concerned about them or not.

A urinalysis can test for the presence of albumin or protein in your urine, which is great for detecting the severity of damage to your kidneys. The test can also detect the presence of blood, bacteria or even pus.

If your doctor suspects further problems, he can order you to undergo further examinations or confirmation through X-rays, ultrasounds and other visual imaging tests. He can also suggest getting a biopsy to determine the right treatment plan for you.

In case you are particularly predisposed to kidney diseases, make sure to get your blood pressure regularly checked. It can also help if you can routinely monitor your blood glucose level, particularly if you are presently diagnosed with diabetes. Aside from these conditions, you may also need to undergo the said tests if you have a family history of kidney diseases or if you are already 60 years old and above. Being Asian, Hispanic and African American also puts you at an increased risk of developing kidney problems.

2 Tests You Need To Take For Early Kidney Disease Diagnosis was last modified: August 29th, 2016 by Admin